You've reached the Virginia Cooperative Extension Newsletter Archive.
These files cover more than ten years of newsletters posted on our old website
(through April/May 2009), and are provided for historical purposes only.
As such, they may contain out-of-date references and broken links.

The Virginia Poultry Federation (VPF) held its annual Youth Convention at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds. Over 150 Future Farmers of America and 4-H youth, ranging in age from 11 to 18, came from all across the state to participate in poultry judging contests and educational activities.

During the convention, VPF President Hobey Bauhan presented Grayson County Extension Agent, Jimmy Osborne with its prestigious "Eddie Mason Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to Poultry Youth Programs." The VPF established the annual award in 1997 to honor Eddie Mason of WLR Foods, who died in 1999, for his dedication to and support of poultry youth programs in the poultry industry for over twenty years.

A veteran poultry judging coach, Mr. Osborne has sent 22 youth to the National 4-H Contest in the past 14 years. Ten of these youth placed in the top 20 at the national event. His teams have placed first and third twice in the last 10 years. He has also coached the top individual winner at the national level twice. Mr. Osborne has been a county Extension Agent in Southwest Virginia for 27 years. He is a 1973 graduate of Virginia Tech. Congratulations Jimmy!